Riteish Deshmukh's directorial venture Raja Shivaji is a grand tribute to the legendary warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film, released on 1 May 2026, runs for 3 hours and 15 minutes and is available in Hindi and Marathi. It blends drama, action, and history, earning a critic's rating of 3.5 out of 5, with a similar user rating.
About the Movie
Based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the film traces his journey from birth to the foundational moments of Swarajya, focusing on the slaying of Afzal Khan. Unlike many recent historical films, Raja Shivaji prioritizes the strategic aspects of the king's conquests over brute force and gory battle scenes. The story, penned by Ajit Wadekar and Sandeep Patil, delves into the emotions and instances that shaped Shivaji Maharaj's quest for self-rule.
Cast and Performances
Riteish Deshmukh brings together a dream cast, including Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan, Abhishek Bachchan, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, and Amole Gupte. Notable cameos include Genelia Deshmukh as Saibai Bhosale, Fardeen Khan as Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, Boman Irani as a Sufi saint, Mahesh Manjrekar as Lakhuji Jadhav, and Salman Khan as Jiva Mahale. Sanjay Dutt and Vidya Balan are show stealers, while Bhagyashree and Abhishek Bachchan deliver impactful performances. Riteish Deshmukh as Shivaji Maharaj is poised and sincere.
Direction and Technical Aspects
This is Riteish Deshmukh's most ambitious project yet, and it does not disappoint. Mounted on a grand scale, the film plays on familiar tropes but does not fixate on them. The dialogues by Prajakt Deshmukh are well-crafted. The story's progression, alternating between different incidents with the aid of Urvashi Saxena's editing, deserves special mention. Ajay-Atul's music, combined with Santosh Sivan's cinematography, elevates every scene.
Misses
Despite its strengths, Raja Shivaji has some shortcomings. The visual effects, though decent, appear childish in certain scenes. The excessive use of slow-motion shots, especially during combat sequences, becomes tiring. The film may feel rushed due to the attempt to cover extensive material within the three-hour runtime.
Conclusion
Divided into eight chapters, Raja Shivaji is a good weekend watch. It showcases a side of the king rarely explored in recent films. Ultimately, Riteish the director shines brighter than Riteish the actor in this grand historical drama.
